Sure would be nice to have that practice bubble today

[ShulaSteakhouse]

And the ignorance overfloweth on Bengalszone once again. Or at least the complete inability to recognize how silly and stupid this scenario is for this team, it's embarrassing.

Think about the fact the Bengals' have the NFL's longest winless post season streak, coupled with being the only team in the NFL without an indoor practice facility.

Also think about all the things they CAN'T do this week on a puny indoor soccer field, preparing for one of the league's best teams. It's a joke.

If they get throttled in Minnesota this week, just remember what they had to go through, just to get a practice in. Minnesota is sharpening up in their dome every week and the Bengals' are on a freakin' short bus going to some little kids' soccer facility 45 minutes away like a bunch of amateurs. Even Moeller HS has an indoor facility.

This isn't the 1960's with plastic helmets and muddy grass fields anymore. It's obvious so many here have never played football at a major high school program or above the HS level. At least I have an completely understand the importance of preparing for critical games in Nov and Dec. Carson's frustration is perfectly legit.

Thank the idiots who run this franchise for being too cheap to build one for them, and you'll be kissing their Brown asses next year when we lose Zimmer because they refuse to give him a new contract, and have no foresight or ability to maintain any kind of success. Thus the apathy in this city towards this team this year, they know it won't last.

[HairOnFire]

And the ignorance overfloweth on Bengalszone once again. Or at least the complete inability to recognize how silly and stupid this scenario is for this team, it's embarrassing.

What's embarrassing is dinks like you spent last year claiming the lack of a practice facility was a major factor preventing this team from winning. But now that the team is winning you conveniently move the goalposts by claiming a loss this week will no doubt be the result of this fringe issue, and apparently will have little or nothing to do with the game being played on the road against an opponent with a superior won/loss record.

[TJJackson]

solid gold hot tubs and an onsite jail facility just in case.

Can we slip in a 24 hour babysitting and bail bondsmen service for the Odell and/or Cheech type?

[HairOnFire]

Thank the idiots who run this franchise for being too cheap to build one for them, and you'll be kissing their Brown asses next year when we lose Zimmer because they refuse to give him a new contract, and have no foresight or ability to maintain any kind of success.

Let's recap. We're doomed. Not just now, but forever. And all because this team won't cover one of it's practice fields with a hefty bag.

Thus the apathy in this city towards this team this year, they know it won't last.

Perhaps the apathy is the result of Cincinnati being home to a mostly clueless fanbase?

Discuss.

[101Airborne]

On a more serious note, I'm not against the idea of the Bengals having an indoor practice facility, I just don't think taxpayers should foot the bill. The NFL is not a public good. Shula, comparing having a practice facility to having the longest winless streak in the post season is totally ignoring every other possible problem that has existed over the years. The Bengals have hardly even been to the post season over that period and they certainly didn't lose the '05 game because of a lack of a practice facility. Which post season game did we lose that could be traced back to lack of indoor practice?

As to your assumption about who has played what amount of football and where, I'll just say that I understand the importance of practice. On the other hand, if the Bengals get blown out by Minn., are you seriously suggesting that our biggest problem is not having ideal practice conditions the week before the game? Think back to your own time playing. Did your team go from a great team to total s**t a week before a big game because of having to practice in less than ideal conditions? That's not a rhetorical question either, I am genuinely interested in what your experience might have been like since it seems to be so different from my own.

Perhaps the apathy isn't because of a clueless fanbase but one which can't be won back with two winning seasons in as long as many have been watching the team. Winning makes believers of us all, but it's going to take more than a single season of winning before many are going to spend big bucks on a team that has consistently s**t itself. Really, I don't give a crap if the Bengals were reduced to only having enough fans to keep the team alive. Do we really need a massive fanbase of bandwagon idiots like the Steelers?

[HairOnFire]

Perhaps the apathy isn't because of a clueless fanbase but one which can't be won back with two winning seasons in as long as many have been watching the team.

No doubt both things play heavily in this discussion. Because regardless of our opinions two points really can't be debated. One, that Cincy has been home to a team known mostly for losing. And two, most Bengal fans who remain are so clueless they actually deserved the crappy football team they were forced to watch.

Winning makes believers of us all, but it's going to take more than a single season of winning before many are going to spend big bucks on a team that has consistently s**t itself.

What you seem to be saying is it will take many more years of success before dinks like Shula decide to embrace this team....thereby implying fans like him aren't really Bengal fans at all. Rather, they're just fringe fans sitting on their hands while waiting for the local team to be consistently good enough for them to openly support. And if that's what you're saying then I agree completely. In fact, all I'll add to your conclusions is this.

f**k 'em.

Really, I don't give a crap if the Bengals were reduced to only having enough fans to keep the team alive.

Exactly. f**k 'em all.

Do we really need a massive fanbase of bandwagon idiots like the Steelers?

I'd be thrilled if half of the Bengals fanbase disappeared overnight. Well, as long as their disappearance doesn't involve the rapture.

[Jet23]

And the ignorance overfloweth on Bengalszone once again. Or at least the complete inability to recognize how silly and stupid this scenario is for this team, it's embarrassing.

Think about the fact the Bengals' have the NFL's longest winless post season streak, coupled with being the only team in the NFL without an indoor practice facility.

Also think about all the things they CAN'T do this week on a puny indoor soccer field, preparing for one of the league's best teams. It's a joke.

If they get throttled in Minnesota this week, just remember what they had to go through, just to get a practice in. Minnesota is sharpening up in their dome every week and the Bengals' are on a freakin' short bus going to some little kids' soccer facility 45 minutes away like a bunch of amateurs. Even Moeller HS has an indoor facility.

This isn't the 1960's with plastic helmets and muddy grass fields anymore. It's obvious so many here have never played football at a major high school program or above the HS level. At least I have an completely understand the importance of preparing for critical games in Nov and Dec. Carson's frustration is perfectly legit.

Thank the idiots who run this franchise for being too cheap to build one for them, and you'll be kissing their Brown asses next year when we lose Zimmer because they refuse to give him a new contract, and have no foresight or ability to maintain any kind of success. Thus the apathy in this city towards this team this year, they know it won't last.

So, soP is cheap?.....please. The next thing you are going to tell me is that water is wet, or Notre Dame followers are the most arrogant and ignorant fans in North America...

[101Airborne]

Perhaps the apathy isn't because of a clueless fanbase but one which can't be won back with two winning seasons in as long as many have been watching the team.

No doubt both things play heavily in this discussion. Because regardless of our opinions two points really can't be debated. One, that Cincy has been home to a team known mostly for losing. And two, most Bengal fans who remain are so clueless they actually deserved the crappy football team they were forced to watch.

Winning makes believers of us all, but it's going to take more than a single season of winning before many are going to spend big bucks on a team that has consistently s**t itself.

What you seem to be saying is it will take many more years of success before dinks like Shula decide to embrace this team....thereby implying fans like him aren't really Bengal fans at all. Rather, they're just fringe fans sitting on their hands while waiting for the local team to be consistently good enough for them to openly support. And if that's what you're saying then I agree completely. In fact, all I'll add to your conclusions is this.

f**k 'em.

Really, I don't give a crap if the Bengals were reduced to only having enough fans to keep the team alive.

Exactly. f**k 'em all.

Do we really need a massive fanbase of bandwagon idiots like the Steelers?

I'd be thrilled if half of the Bengals fanbase disappeared overnight. Well, as long as their disappearance doesn't involve the rapture.

Seems we are mostly on the same page here Hair. The big bucks comment includes more than just fringe fans though. You may or may not recall that I had elected to not buy tickets to the Houston game this year and you seemed to suggest that made me less of a fan. Some of us have tight budgets for entertainment. For my own part, I am glad I didn't elect to spend that money watching us get beat. If we continue to show consistency, I will likely open my wallet next year for a game or more. I think there are probably plenty of real fans like me who have limited means and have to spend their money wisely.

I'd be thrilled if half the fanbase vanished overnight as well. There sure are a lot of new Bengals caps and jerseys around Columbus this year and suddenly a lot less Browns and Steelers crap. I guess I could summarize by saying that I don't blame people who don't want to break the bank watching the Bengals get their asses kicked, but all the non-fans who suddenly grew a pair enough to buy a hat so they could talk s**t in public can f**k off.

[HairOnFire]

The big bucks comment includes more than just fringe fans though. You may or may not recall that I had elected to not buy tickets to the Houston game this year and you seemed to suggest that made me less of a fan.

Actually, that wasn't my point at all. My point was more along the lines of if you didn't show up for the game someone else would. Someone more willing to emotionally invest themselves in the experience of simply being a fan of this team.

Some of us have tight budgets for entertainment. For my own part, I am glad I didn't elect to spend that money watching us get beat.

You weren't missed. The game sold out and your seat was filled....just as I predicted. And again, that's really all I was attempting to get across back then. As for the Bengals getting beat, as you predicted, good call.

If we continue to show consistency, I will likely open my wallet next year for a game or more. I think there are probably plenty of real fans like me who have limited means and have to spend their money wisely.

Fans have always voted with their feet and their wallets, and I've got no problem with them or their reasons. But please remember, a loud portion of this teams fanbase is so fugtarded it believes the path to a championship is through brave and stirring acts of apathy and self loathing. Thus, with a playoff berth well secured a full month before the regular season ends, we still find ourselves wading through this sort of bubble-related nonsense spewed by ignorant dips**ts and dedicated cockbags.

[Stripes]

No doubt both things play heavily in this discussion. Because regardless of our opinions two points really can't be debated. One, that Cincy has been home to a team known mostly for losing. And two, most Bengal fans who remain are so clueless they actually deserved the crappy football team they were forced to watch.

[Bgal]

How many other cold weather teams don't have a practice bubble? I really want to know...

If major high school programs have better facilities than the Bengals then that really is embarrassing for the team. Pro football is way more complex than high school football. Not being able to properly practice really will be a huge decider when it comes to winning or losing.

Those that defend not having a bubble... Why? I want the team to have any advantage possible.

[derekshank]

There are currently 10 teams in the NFL wthout an indoor facility of any kind. How many of them are cold weather teams, I don't know... but the question seems irrelevant. Teams don't practice indoors when it's cold outside. They move indoors because of high winds and things of that nature that make it impossible to be productive.

The High School team that has a bubble has one because it was privately funded... for $3 million. I'm sure if you want to buy one for Mikey, he'll accept the gift. But for my part, I don't think the tax payers should be asked to pay for something that would be utilized so rarely. And since it wouldn't be used all that frequently, multi-millionaire or not... if I'm Mike Brown, I see little reason to foot the bill either.

They practice outdoors unless it is impossible. In that event, they drive 40 minutes away. I'll never understand how the Bengals are at a competitive disadvantage because of that bus ride.

[derekshank]

Wall2Wall definitely has the square footage for the team to practice but I really don't think the ceiling is high enough to practice any deep routes or special teams. I may be wrong. I've only been there once and it was a few years ago.

Pictures of Wall2Wall

I'm guessing that the only thing that really can't be worked on at all is punting and kickoffs. And that is no different in a bubble. The bubble that people want so badly for $3+million would have very similar dimensions. If I'm Mike Brown, there's no way in hell I put my own money up to pay for a structure that has the same functionality just to avoid a bus ride.

And reading through this thread again, I see Shula claimed that Cincinnati was the only NFL team without a bubble. That's either a lie, or something he shouts for effect without fact checking. The Bengals are one of 10 teams without any kind of indoor facility.

[Pidge]

The Bills of the early 90's loved practising indoors. Result - 0 SBs.

I mean, what utter bollocks this moaning about a building that might be used half a dozen times a yr is. The game is played outdoors for the most part anyway so no harm no foul.

The difference between a winning franchise is not whether or not they have a bubble. These people have the vote FFS! WE'RE ALL DOOMED.

[COB]

I'll never understand how the Bengals are at a competitive disadvantage because of that bus ride.

Bus rides sap your strength, and can possibly turn you into a girl. Bus rides are kryptonite to NFL players who only ride in their own pimped out whips, stretch limos someone else is paying for, or the backs of police cars.

Carson's statements about the harrowing experience of sitting on a bus for 2 hours in traffic reveal the trauma he endured that day. 2 hours stuck on a bus in traffic? Holy f**king s**t, cheapskate Mike Brown why don't you just build a concentration camp and stick your players in it?

[Stripes]

In fairness, if you watch the press conference, Carson's comments aren't really that aggressive. He called it a "drag", but he wasn't complaining. He's just answering a loaded question from one of the 34573462 s**t head Cincy reporters.

[cincyhokie]

Fans of the practice bubble and fans of the practice bubble drama....I may have an update on said practice bubble.

There is beginning construction of UC's indoor complex on the corner of Jefferson and Corry. I'm not sure if it will be finished by next fall but you have to think the Bengals will get some use out of the facility.

Either way, it's a hell of alot closer than Mason...and it's actually a football field.